It is official: the “Green Shirts” are heading home early. In a tournament filled with massive highs and crushing lows, Pakistan has been knocked out of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 at the Super 8 stage.
Despite a historic batting display in their final game against Sri Lanka, the math simply didn’t add up for Salman Ali Agha’s men. Here is a breakdown of how it all went wrong and what this means for the future of Pakistan cricket.
The Final Blow: The Sri Lanka Clash
Going into the final Super 8 match in Pallekele, Pakistan’s mission was clear: Restrict Sri Lanka to 147 or less after posting a massive total of 212/8.
The match started like a dream. Sahibzada Farhan cemented his status as a rising superstar, smashing a brilliant century (100 off 60 balls) and breaking Virat Kohli’s record for most runs in a single T20 World Cup edition. Alongside him, Fakhar Zaman looked like his old self, bludgeoning 84 runs.
However, a sudden lower-order collapse—where Pakistan lost 8 wickets for just 34 runs—meant the target wasn’t as unreachable as it should have been. Sri Lanka crossed the 147-run mark, mathematically ending Pakistan’s semi-final dreams even before the game concluded.
Why Pakistan Didn’t Qualify: 3 Key Factors
- The India Defeat: The 61-run loss to India in the group stage severely damaged Pakistan’s Net Run Rate (NRR), a shadow that followed them into the Super 8s.
- The England Heartbreak: Losing to England by just 2 wickets in the Super 8s was the true turning point. Had Salman Mirza defended those final runs, Pakistan would have been in the driver’s seat.
- The Rain in Colombo: The “No Result” against New Zealand meant Pakistan only walked away with 1 point, making their final game a “mission impossible” scenario for the NRR.
The End of an Era?
The 2026 World Cup saw a major shift in the team dynamic. For the first time in years, Babar Azam was dropped for a crucial game due to strike-rate concerns. While the new opening duo of Farhan and Fakhar proved that Pakistan has the firepower, the middle-order instability remains a glaring issue.
What’s Next for the Green Shirts?
With the semi-finals featuring England, New Zealand, South Africa, and India (pending final results), Pakistan fans are left wondering “what if.” The team showed glimpses of brilliance, but in world tournaments, consistency is the only currency that matters.
Final Thought: Pakistan exits the 2026 World Cup with their heads high because of Sahibzada Farhan’s records, but with heavy hearts because of another missed opportunity at silverware.
